Methods and systems for coexistence with licensed entities using power modification

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices for conducting wireless communication are provided. One method includes identifying a location of the apparatus. The method further includes obtaining spectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage data indicates a licensed entity licensed within an area including the location of the apparatus to communicate across a first sub-band of frequencies within a frequency band. The frequency band includes a plurality of channels each having a fixed width. The method further includes a modified transmission power using the spectrum usage data. The modified transmission power is configured to reduce interference with the licensed entity on the first sub-band. The method further includes conducting wireless transmissions on at least one of a first set of one or more of the plurality of channels containing the first sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent to the first set of channels at the modified transmission power.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/464,952, filed Feb. 28, 2017, entitled “METHODS ANDSYSTEMS FOR COEXISTENCE BETWEEN NARROWBAND AND WIDEBAND WIRELESSCOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS”, assigned to the assignee of this application,and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present description relates generally to wireless communicationsystems. More specifically, the present description relates to methodsand systems for allowing transmissions in a same general frequency rangeas licensed entities.

BACKGROUND

There is a trend towards greater sharing of electromagnetic spectrumbetween different wireless communication networks and technologies,since it tends to promote greater and more efficient use of spectrum,which is a scarce resource. Governmental entities or other agenciestasked with allocating and monitoring use of spectrum, such as theUnited States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), may licensecertain entities to operate within a particular area (e.g. fixed servicesatellite, fixed service microwave, mobile cable/broadcast/television,radar, etc.). In such circumstances, the licensee typically licenses useof the spectrum with an expectation that its transmissions will not beimpacted by substantial interference within the licensed band.Therefore, unlicensed users may be prohibited from operating on thelicensed band unless the unlicensed users have a mechanism for helpingensure that their transmissions will not substantially interfere withthe transmissions of the licensed entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosurewill become more apparent and better understood by referring to thedetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters identify correspondingelements, throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generallyindicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similarelements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example spectrum access system (SAS)for coexistence between licensed and unlicensed entities (e.g.,narrowband and wideband wireless communication systems) according to anillustrative implementation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting a device for conducting wirelesscommunication according to an illustrative implementation.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting a spectrum puncturing processaccording to an illustrative implementation.

FIG. 4 is a spectrum usage diagram illustrating application of thespectrum puncturing process of FIG. 3 according to an illustrativeimplementation.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting a transmission power modificationprocess according to an illustrative implementation.

FIG. 6 is a spectrum diagram illustrates an implementation of thetransmission power modification technique of FIG. 5 according to anillustrative example.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a beam steering process according toan illustrative implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the detailed description. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent tothose skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited tothe specific details set forth herein and may be practiced using one ormore implementations.

Coexistence between licensed and unlicensed users on a particularfrequency band utilizes sharing of electromagnetic spectrum according tosome implementations. Spectrum may be unlicensed, licensed on anon-exclusive basis, or exclusively licensed to one or more entitiesoperating one or more systems in the spectrum. In some implementations,such spectrum sharing may utilize rules placed on the transmissionparameters of one or more of the systems.

The identification of licensed systems can be performed in several ways,such as direct sensing of the transmissions of the second system, beinginformed by a third party (e.g., a governmental entity, such as the FCC)that the second system exists at a proximate location such that (mutual)interference may occur, or in another manner. In some implementations,the third party provides access to a centralized database system thatincludes data indicating the locations and transmission/receptioncharacteristics of the second system.

In some implementations, the second system does not transmitcontinuously, and therefore the first and second systems are able tocoexist by sharing spectrum in the time domain. However, if the firstsystem is unable to directly detect the transmissions of the secondsystem, and does not have any other mechanisms by which to become awarein real-time of the timing of the transmissions (e.g. duty cycle) of thesecond system, time-domain coexistence becomes infeasible. In suchcases, the most tractable method of coexistence (when simultaneousinterference would otherwise create an intolerable level ofinterference) is for the two systems to transmit in different sub-bandsor channels of the spectrum.

When the two systems coexist by transmitting on mutually exclusivechannels within the spectrum, the second system uses a fixed bandwidthchannel within the spectrum, and the first system uses as much of theremaining spectrum as possible in order to increase the communicationsthroughput (data rate) according to some implementations. In someimplementations, there are one or more other systems with which thefirst system coexists by transmitting on as much as possible of thespectrum that is unused by the other systems. In some implementations,the first system transmits simultaneously on multiple non-contiguouschannels within the spectrum using various techniques, such as carrieraggregation, channel bonding, or non-contiguous orthogonalfrequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) scheduling. The channelbonding technique utilizes transmitters and receivers that have multipletransmit/receive chains, each operating on a unique contiguous part ofthe spectrum according to some implementations. The non-contiguous OFDMAscheduling technique utilizes transmitters and receivers that have justa single wideband transmit/receive chain, where signals are onlytransmitted on OFDMA subcarriers pertaining to parts of the spectrumthat are unused by the other devices according to some implementations.

In mobile communication systems (such as Wi-Fi, LTE, etc.), centralizedtransmission rules are applied to ensure coexistence (e.g. using adatabase) according to some implementations. In some implementations,network infrastructure nodes have permanent connection to the databaseand are configured as master controllers for transmissions conducted bythe communication system. In some implementations, client devices havetransient connectivity due to mobility and are configured as “slave” or“dependent” devices, such that the client devices are only allowed totransmit under rules that are indicated by the master networkinfrastructure nodes.

For example, in the IEEE 802.11 standard, Dynamic STA Enablement (DSE)provides a mechanism whereby client devices (STAs) are not allowed totransmit on certain channels/spectrum until they request and are granted“enablement” from an infrastructure node (AP) by exchange of DSEEnablement frames. The enablement grant from AP entitles the STA totransmit only for the purpose of communicating with the granting AP, andallows that AP to specify the maximum transmission power that the STA isallowed to use for those transmissions (in DSE Power Constraint frame).

For example, in IEEE 802.11 standard, Geolocation Database Dependent(GDD) enablement provides a similar mechanism to DSE. GDD enablementenables response based on information obtained from a centralizeddatabase. The enabling response contains a specific list of channelswithin spectrum on which the client device is allowed to operate, and amaximum transmission power pertaining to each of those channelsaccording to some implementations. In the event that the client deviceis enabled to use multiple channels, and the AP is operating on thosemultiple channels by contiguous or non-contiguous channel bonding, theclient device transmits on those multiple channels simultaneouslyaccording to some implementations. The client device can, once enabled,request an update on the allowable channels based on indication of itscurrent location (using Channel Availability Query—CAQ procedure). Thisfeature supports providing information on spectrum in a so-called “TVWhite Space” spectrum up to 698 MHz (White Space Map Information)according to some implementations.

Various systems and methods are provided in the present disclosure forcoexistence with licensed entities using spectrum puncturing, powermodification, and/or beam sharing. Various implementations utilizespectrum usage data obtained from a database. The spectrum usage dataincludes data regarding one or more licensed entities licensed tooperate in a particular geographic area. The spectrum usage data caninclude a transmission and/or reception location of the licensedentities, a transmission power, an area in which the licensed entitiesare licensed to transmit, spectrum data regarding the licensed spectrum(e.g., the frequency band(s) over which the entity is licensed totransmit), data regarding directionality of the transmissions, and/orother data. In some implementations, the database is maintained oradministered by a government entity (e.g., the FCC) or another entityauthorized to provide the database by the government entity.

In some implementations, a wireless device uses the spectrum usage datato conduct transmissions in a frequency band near a licensed band usinga spectrum puncturing technique. In some such implementations, thewireless device determines a licensed entity licensed to transmit in aparticular sub-band of a frequency band in an area including thelocation of the wireless device. The wireless device disablestransmissions over the particular sub-band and conducts transmissionsover portions of the frequency band proximate/adjacent to the licensedsub-band. This allows the wireless device to still utilize the overallfrequency band without impermissibly interfering with the transmissionsof the licensed entity on the licensed sub-band.

In some implementations, a wireless device additionally, oralternatively, modifies a transmission power of transmissions of thewireless device in or adjacent to the licensed sub-band. The wirelessdevice can utilize spectrum usage data from the database to estimate atransmission power that would result in interference at an intendedreceiver of the licensed entity of less than a threshold interferencelevel. In some implementations, the database may specify the thresholdlevel and/or provide transmission parameters (e.g., power levels) thatwireless devices operating in the geographic area are required to use.

In some implementations (e.g., where the licensed entity is a fixedservice, such as a fixed satellite or microwave service, anddirectionality of the transmissions of the licensed entity arepredetermined), a wireless device additionally, or alternatively,receives transmission characteristics of the licensed entity, such asdirectionality information, from the database and utilizes theinformation to avoid impermissible interference using a beam formingtechnique. In some such implementations, the wireless device determinesa beam path of the licensed transmissions using the spectrum usage datafrom the database and/or by detecting transmissions from the licensedentity. The wireless device can modify parameters of its owntransmissions to avoid interference with the licensed transmissionsusing the directionality of those transmissions. For example, in someimplementations, the wireless device (e.g., an access point) hasmultiple different antennas and chooses a subset of the antennas onwhich to transmit based on the antennas which will result in adirectionality that will not cause an impermissible level ofinterference with the licensed entities. In various implementations, thewireless device may modify the polarization, elevation, azimuth, orother parameters of transmissions to avoid interference.

Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram depicts an example spectrum access system(SAS) 100 for coexistence between licensed and unlicensed entities(e.g., narrowband and wideband wireless communication systems) accordingto an illustrative implementation. In some implementations, the SAS 100can be wirelessly connected to multiple communication systems that useone or more wireless communication networks and technologies, such asLTE communication system 103, satellite communication system 105,microwave communication system 107, radar communication system 109, WiFicommunication system 111, and television communication system 113.

The SAS 100 includes a database. The database includes spectrum usagedata of one or more communication systems that provide incumbentservices within one or more spectrum ranges according to someimplementations. The spectrum usage data can include, but is not limitedto, spectrum information, geographic information, and/or transmissioninformation of each incumbent service. For example, the SAS 100 caninclude a list of incumbent services and a specific geographic locationand a transmission power used by each incumbent service according tosome implementations.

In some implementations, the SAS 100 receives location data from acommunication device (e.g., an AP, a client device such as a smartphone,etc.). In some implementations, the SAS 100 receives a request from thecommunication device for spectrum usage data associated with thelocation of the communication device and a specific frequency band. TheSAS 100 retrieves spectrum usage data associated with the location ofthe communication device and the specific frequency band, and providesthe spectrum usage data to the communication device. The spectrum usagedata indicates information about transmissions of one or more othercommunication devices operated by licensed entities who have beengranted a license to operate with a particular frequency range. Thecommunication device is unlicensed to operate within the frequencyrange. In some implementations, the SAS 100 may provide a full databasefor a particular geographic regions or the entirety of the databasewithout receiving the location of the communication device.

In some implementations, the spectrum usage data indicates a list ofincumbent services provided by the one or more licensed entities of thesecond communication system within an area including the location of thecommunication device across one or more sub-bands of frequencies withina frequency band. In some implementations, the spectrum usage dataindicates transmission power associated with each of the one or moreincumbent services. In some implementations, the spectrum usage dataincludes a positive list indicating one or more sub-bands of frequenciesthat can be used for transmission in the area and a negative listindicating one or more sub-bands of frequencies that cannot be used fortransmission in the area, or cannot be used without taking measures toensure that the transmissions of the licensed entities are not degradeddue to an impermissible level of interference from unlicensed devices.In some implementations, the one or more sub-bands of frequencies on thenegative list are reserved for fixed services (e.g., services providedby licensed entities). In some implementations, the spectrum usage datamay include only the negative list (e.g., such that devices can assumethey are free to operate in the frequencies not specifically identifiedin the negative list) or the positive list (e.g., such that devices canassume they are not allowed to operate in the frequencies notspecifically identified in the positive list without taking measures toavoid interfering with devices licensed to operate in such frequencies).

In some implementations, the communication device can use the spectrumusage data from the SAS 100 to avoid transmission on the sub-band offrequencies on the negative list and only transmit signals on thesub-band of frequencies on the positive list. In this way, thecommunication device can share the frequency band with the secondcommunication system without interfering with any incumbent servicesprovided by the second communication system. For example, for aparticular frequency band, the communication device may determine afirst sub-band of frequencies on which the licensed entities arelicensed to operate and a second sub-band of frequencies that areunlicensed, and the communication device may conduct transmissions onlyon part or all of the second sub-band. In some embodiments, thecommunication device may evaluate a spectral separation between aportion of the second sub-band adjacent to the first sub-band todetermine whether the spectral separation is sufficient to avoidimpermissible interference on the first sub-band if transmissions areperformed on the adjacent portion of the second sub-band.

In some implementations, the communication device uses the spectrumusage to determine one or more sub-bands of frequencies within thefrequency band on which one or more licensed entities of the secondcommunication system are licensed to conduct communications. Thecommunication device determines a modified transmission power fortransmission on the determined one or more sub-bands of frequencies toreduce interference with the one or more licensed entities of the secondcommunication system. The communication device conducts transmission onthe determined one or more sub-bands of frequencies at the modifiedtransmission power. In some implementations, the communication devicealso conducts transmission on one or more sub-bands of frequencies thatare adjacent to the determined sub-bands of frequencies at the modifiedtransmission power.

In some implementations, the communication device can further usetransmission information of the spectrum usage data to determine beamsteering characteristics for wireless transmissions within the frequencyband. The communication device conducts transmissions using the beamsteering characteristics to reduce interference with the transmissionsof the licensed entities of the second communication system.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a device 200 for conductingwireless communication is depicted according to an illustrativeimplementation. In some implementations, the device 200 is an accesspoint (AP) in a communication system. In some implementations, thedevice 200 is a client device in a communication system. The device 200can be any devices that wirelessly connected to one or more otherdevices over a frequency band, such as a smartphone, tablet, computer(e.g., laptop), Internet of Things device such as a smartwatch, or anyother device configured to communicate via wireless transmissions. Thedevice 200 includes positioning circuitry 201, a processor 203, a memory207, and an antenna 205.

In various implementations, the processor 203 is or includes a generalpurpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventionalprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSPcore, a controller, a microcontroller, an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)circuit, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, andthe like. The processor 203 can perform signal coding, data processing,power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionalitythat enables the device 200 to operate in a wireless environment, insome implementations. The processor 203 can be coupled to a transceiver(not shown), which can be coupled to the antenna 205. In someimplementations, the processor 203 is integrated with a transceiver. Thememory 207 can be any type of computer or machine-readable storagemedium capable of storing instructions and/or other data in a formaccessible by the processor 203. In various implementations, the memory207 is, or includes, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, magneticallyrecordable storage (e.g., a hard drive), or any other type of storagemedium accessible to the processor 203.

The antenna 205 is configured to transmit signals to, and receivesignals from, a base station and the SAS over one or more spectrumbands. In some implementations, the antenna 205 may be configured totransmit and/or receive any wireless signals (e.g., light, RI, WiFi, UV,LTE, etc.). In some implementations the antenna 205 includes a pluralityof antennas, such as an antenna array. In some such implementations,individual antennas or groups of antennas can be individuallyselectable, such that transmissions can be performed on a subset of theantennas without performing transmissions on a portion of the antennas.

The positioning circuitry 201 is configured to identify a currentlocation of the device 200 and provide the location information to theprocessor 203. In some implementations, the positioning circuitry 201 isconfigured to identify a location of the device 200 as a latitude andlongitude. The positioning circuitry 201 can include one or more of, butis not limited to, a global positioning system (GPS), a cellulartransceiver (e.g., where position can be determined via cellulartriangulation or based on one or more cellular towers to which thedevice is connected), a short-range wireless transceiver such as a WiFior Bluetooth transceiver (e.g., where position can be determined basedon a known location of a device to which the positioning circuitry 201is connected), etc.

In some implementations, the processor 203 is configured to transmit thelocation information to a spectrum access system (SAS) via the antenna205 or another communication device of the processor configured toprovide communications with the SAS. The processor 203 is configured todetermine a plurality of channels over the frequency band to conductwireless communication. In some implementations, each of the pluralityof channels has a fixed width within the frequency band. The processor203 can be configured to transmit the channel information indicating theplurality of channels to the SAS. In some implementations, the processor203 transmits a request for spectrum usage data along with the locationinformation. In other implementations, the processor 203 receives datafor a larger geographic area from the SAS without providing the locationdata to the SAS, and the processor 203 filters or otherwise processesthe information to determine the spectrum usage data pertinent to thecurrent location of the device 200.

In some implementations, in response to transmitting the request forspectrum usage data and the location information, the processor 203receives spectrum usage data from the SAS for the relevant areaincluding or proximate to the location of the device 200. The spectrumusage data indicates a list of active services provided by one or moreentities within an area including the location of the device 200 acrossone or more sub-bands of frequencies within the frequency band. In someimplementations, the one or more entities are licensed entities that arelicensed to communicate across the one or more sub-bands of frequencieswithin the frequency band. In some implementations, the one or moreentities include unlicensed entities that actively communicate over oneor more sub-band of frequencies of the frequency band. The spectrumusage data can indicate transmission power associated with each of theone or more active services. In some implementations, the spectrum usagedata includes a positive list indicating one or more sub-bands offrequencies that can be used for transmission in the area and a negativelist indicating one or more sub-bands of frequencies that cannot be usedfor transmission in the area, or cannot be used without mitigatingactivity to prevent interference with existing entities, such asentities approved or licensed to transmit within the sub-bands. In someimplementations, the one or more sub-bands of frequencies on thenegative list are reserved for fixed services (e.g., services providedby licensed entities).

The memory 207 can include one or more modules implemented as computeror machine-readable instructions that are executable by the processor203 to perform functions of the device 200. In some implementations, thememory 207 includes one or more of a spectrum puncturing module 209, atransmission power modification module 211, and/or a beam steeringmodule 213. The processor 203 is connected to the memory 207 andconfigured to execute various instructions stored in various modules ofthe memory 207. In some implementations, the processor 203 stores thereceived spectrum usage data in the memory 207.

The spectrum puncturing module 209 is configured to prevent interferencewith licensed entities by disabling transmission on licensed frequenciesand identifying sub-bands proximate the licensed frequencies on whichtransmissions can be conducted. The spectrum puncturing module 209determines a first set of one or more of the plurality of channelscontaining the first sub-band of frequencies over which the licensedentity is licensed to communicate using the spectrum usage data. Thespectrum puncturing module 209 conducts transmissions on a second set ofone or more of the plurality of channels that do not contain the firstsub-band of frequencies. The spectrum puncturing module 209 furtherdisables wireless transmissions on the first set of channels. In someimplementations, the second set of channels includes a first subset ofchannels below the first set of channels and a second subset of channelsabove the first set of channels. In some implementations, the second setof channels can include channels only above or below the first set ofchannels.

The transmission power modification module 211 is configured to preventinterference with licensed entities by modifying the transmission powerof the device 200 on frequencies within and/or adjacent to the licensedsub-band. The transmission power modification module 211 determines amodified transmission power using the spectrum usage data. The modifiedtransmission power is configured to reduce interference with thelicensed entity on the first sub-band. The transmission powermodification module 211 conducts wireless transmission on at least oneof a first set of one or more of the plurality of channels containingthe first sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent to the firstset of channels at the modified transmission power. In someimplementations, the transmission power modification module 211 disableswireless transmissions on the first set of channels and conduct wirelesstransmission on the adjacent channel at the modified transmission power.

The beam steering module 213 is configured to prevent interference withlicensed entities by adjusting parameters of transmissions of the device200 (e.g., beam steering parameters) to reduce interference based on thedirectionality of the licensed transmissions. The spectrum usage datacan indicate one or more transmission characteristics of thetransmission of the licensed entity including data indicating a sourcelocation and a directionality of the transmissions. In someimplementations, the spectrum usage data also indicates beam steeringrequirements for transmissions in the frequency band within the area.

The beam steering module 213 determines whether the device 200 is withina beam path of the licensed entity based on the source location anddirectionality of the transmission of the licensed entity indicated bythe transmission characteristics of the spectrum usage data. Upondetermining the device 200 is within the beam path of the licensedentity, the beam steering module 213 modifies the beam characteristicsfor the wireless transmissions of the device 200 to reduce interferencebased on the beam path of the licensed entity. The beam steering module213 determines beam steering characteristics for wireless transmissionsof the device 200 within the frequency band using the transmissioncharacteristics for the licensed entity using the spectrum usage data.The beam steering module 213 conducts wireless transmissions over thefrequency band using the beam steering characteristics. The beamsteering characteristics can include, but are not limited to, a beamorientation, a beam polarization, a beam elevation, a beam azimuth, anda beam cross-polarization discrimination. In some implementations, thebeam steering module 213 determines the beam steering characteristicsusing beam steering requirements expressly or implicitly provided withinthe spectrum usage data.

In some implementations, when the antenna 205 includes a plurality ofantennas, the beam steering module 213 determines a subset of theantennas to use for the wireless transmissions based on a directionalityof the wireless transmission of the antennas.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow diagram of a spectrum puncturing process 300is depicted according to an illustrative implementation. In someimplementations, the spectrum puncturing process 300 may be implementedusing the spectrum puncturing module 209 of the device 200.

At operation 301, the wireless device identifies the location of thedevice. The location of the device is identified using a positioningcircuitry of device. In some implementations, the location of the deviceis identified using positioning data received from other devices. Insome implementations, the location of the device is transmitted to asystem maintaining a database of spectrum usage in one or moregeographic areas. For example, the location may be provided as part of aquery from the device to a spectrum access system, and the spectrumaccess system may respond to the query with spectrum usage data relevantto an area including or proximate to the location. In someimplementations, the device may use the determined location to filterdata received from the database that includes a larger geographic areato determine the data relevant to the location.

At operation 303, the wireless device receives spectrum usage data fromthe spectrum access system. The spectrum access system includes adatabase used to store the data. The received spectrum usage data isassociated with wireless transmissions at an area including the locationof the wireless device. The spectrum usage data indicates a licensedentity licensed within the area to communicate across a first sub-bandof frequencies within the frequency band.

At operation 305, the first set of one or more of the plurality ofchannels is determined by including channels that contains the firstsub-band of frequencies over which the licensed entity is licensed tocommunicate. In some implementations, the first set of one or more ofthe plurality of channels are determined by including the first sub-bandof frequencies and one or more sub-bands of frequencies adjacent to thefirst sub-band of frequencies.

At operation 307, the second set of one or more of the plurality ofchannels is determined by excluding channels from the first set of oneor more of the plurality of channels. The second set of one or more ofthe plurality of channels does not overlap with the first set of one ormore of the plurality of channels and does not include the firstsub-band of licensed frequencies. In some implementations, the wirelessdevice “punctures” the frequency band by determining one or morechannels below the first set channels and one or more channels above thefirst set of channels to include in the second set of channels overwhich transmissions are conducted. In such implementations,transmissions can be conducted over a substantial portion of thefrequency band and a frequency hole in which transmissions are disabledcan be provided for the first set of frequencies to avoid interferencewith the licensed entity. In some implementations, the second set offrequencies is entirely above or below the first set, such that only anupper frequency sub-band or lower frequency sub-band is “punctured”. Insome implementations, the second set of frequencies forms a secondsub-band larger than the first sub-band, and the wireless devicedetermines a portion of the second sub-band that does not include thefirst sub-band and conducts transmissions on that portion of the secondsub-band.

In some implementations, the wireless device determines channels toinclude in the second set of channels based in part on a spectralseparation between the licensed sub-band and channels having frequenciesadjacent to the frequencies of the first set of channels. For example,the wireless device can determine a spectral separation between a lowestfrequency in the licensed sub-band and a highest frequency in a channeladjacent to the channel of the first set of channels that includes thelowest licensed frequency. In some implementations, the wireless devicedetermines whether to include the adjacent channel in the second set ofchannels over which transmissions are to be conducted based on thespectral separation. In some such implementations, the wireless devicedetermines whether the spectral separation exceeds a threshold level. Ifit does, the wireless device includes the adjacent channel in the secondset of channels. If it does not, the wireless device excludes theadjacent channel in the second set of channels and instead includes theadjacent channel in the channels over which transmissions are disabled.In some embodiments, the wireless device determines whether to includethe adjacent channel in the second set of channels based on whether thewireless transmissions on the adjacent channel are likely to causeinterference on the licensed sub-band greater than a threshold level ofinterference. In some such embodiments, the wireless device estimates ananticipated level of interference at an intended receiver of thetransmissions of the licensed entity based on the spectrum usage datafrom the database and allows transmissions on the adjacent channel ifthe anticipated level of interference is less than the threshold leveland otherwise disables transmissions on the adjacent channel. In somesuch embodiments, the spectrum usage data used to estimate theanticipated interference includes, but is not limited to, relativegeographic locations of the wireless device and the transmissions of thelicensed entity, a power spectral energy over distance of the licensedtransmissions, directionality of the licensed transmissions, antennagain of the antenna(s) used by the licensed entity, channelization ofthe licensed transmissions, etc.

At operation 309, the wireless device conducts wireless transmissions onthe second set of channels and disables wireless transmissions on thefirst set of channels.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a spectrum diagram is shown illustratingimplementation of the spectrum puncturing technique of FIG. 3 accordingto an illustrative example. The wireless device is configured to conductwireless transmissions over a plurality channels over a frequency band.Each of the plurality of channels has a fixed width of 20 MHz. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the wireless device can be configured tooperate in a mode that utilizes a transmission band having a bandwidthof 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. In some implementations, thewireless device may operate in a mode utilizing a transmission bandhaving a width of at least 80 MHz. In some implementations, the wirelessdevice may transmit in a frequency band that includes a frequency of 6.0GHz. The wireless device obtains spectrum usage data from a database ofthe spectrum access system. The spectrum usage data indicates that thereis another device in the area including the location of the wirelessdevice and the other device is licensed to conduct transmissions over a30 MHz band.

The wireless device determines a first set of channels, channels 401 and403, having a range of frequencies that include the 30 MHz band reservedby the licensed entity. The wireless device then determines channelsthat do not include the 30 MHz licensed sub-band. In someimplementations, the wireless device may operate in a 80 MHz mode andmay determine one or more 20 MHz channels within the 80 MHz sub-bandthat do not include the frequencies of the 30 MHz licensed sub-band. Inthe illustrated implementation, the wireless device may determine thatchannels 405 and 407 are channels in which transmissions are to beperformed and channels 401 and 403 are channels in which transmissionsare to be disabled. In such an example, this allows the wireless deviceto achieve an improved throughput associated with using what iseffectively a 40 MHz band while avoiding impermissible interference withthe licensed entity. In some implementations, the wireless device mayoperate in a 160 MHz mode and may transmit on some or all of the six 20MHz channels other than channels 401 and 403.

In some implementations, the wireless device may consider the predefinedboundaries between allocated frequency blocks in determining a mode inwhich the wireless device can operate. For example, in some embodiments,the entire licensed sub-band can be required to fall within the sub-bandin which the wireless device operates in order to apply the frequencypuncturing technique. In the example illustrated within FIG. 4, thewireless device can be configured not to operate in a 40 MHz modebecause the 30 MHz licensed sub-band would overlap a boundary of two 40MHz predetermined channels. The wireless device can operate in either an80 MHz mode or a 160 MHz mode because the 30 MHz licensed sub-band doesnot cross the boundary of the particular 80 MHz and 160 MHz channels.

In some implementations, the 20 MHz channels include one or morechannels that are adjacent to the channels that overlap with the 30 MHzband, such as the 20 MHz channel 405 and the 20 MHz channel 407. In someimplementations, the wireless device determines whether to include thechannels 405 and 407 in the first set of channels in which transmissionsare disabled or the second set of channels in which transmissions areconducted based on a spectral separation between the 30 MHz band and the20 MHz channels. For example, the wireless device can determine whetherthe spectral separation is less than a predetermined threshold. Upondetermining that the spectral separation is less than the threshold, thewireless device includes the adjacent channels 405 and 407 in the firstset of channels. If it is determined that the spectral separation isgreater than the threshold, the wireless device can include the adjacentchannels 405 and 407 in the second set of channels. In the illustratedexample, the threshold could be 2 MHz, and the spectral separationbetween the 30 MHz band and the adjacent channels 405 and 407 isapproximately 5 MHz. Therefore, the wireless device includes adjacentchannels 405 and 407 in the channels in which transmissions are allowed.If the threshold were 7 MHz, the wireless device would disabletransmissions on the adjacent channels 405 and 407. In some embodiments,the wireless device may determine whether to allow or disabletransmissions on the adjacent channels 405 and 407 based on anassessment of whether transmissions on the adjacent channels 405 and 407would cause impermissible interference on the 30 MHz licensed sub-band(e.g., interference of greater than a threshold level).

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a transmission power modificationprocess 500 is depicted according to an illustrative implementation. Insome implementations, the transmission power modification process 500may be implemented using the transmission power modification module 211of the device 200.

At operation 501, the wireless device identifies the location of thedevice. The location of the device is identified using a positioningcircuitry of device. In some implementations, the location of the deviceis identified using positioning data received from other devices. Insome implementations, the location of the device is transmitted to asystem maintaining a database of spectrum usage in one or moregeographic areas. For example, the location may be provided as part of aquery from the device to a spectrum access system, and the spectrumaccess system may respond to the query with spectrum usage data relevantto an area including or proximate to the location. In someimplementations, the device may use the determined location to filterdata received from the database that includes a larger geographic areato determine the data relevant to the location.

At operation 503, the wireless device receives spectrum usage data fromthe spectrum access system. The spectrum access system includes adatabase used to store the data. The received spectrum usage data isassociated with wireless transmissions at an area including the locationof the wireless device. The spectrum usage data indicates a licensedentity licensed within the area to communicate across a first sub-bandof frequencies within the frequency band.

At operation 505, the first set of one or more of the plurality ofchannels is determined by including channels that contains the firstsub-band of frequencies over which the licensed entity is licensed tocommunicate. In some implementations, the first set of one or more ofthe plurality of channels are determined by including channels includingthe first sub-band of frequencies and one or more sub-bands offrequencies adjacent to the first sub-band of frequencies.

At operation 507, the wireless device determines a modified transmissionpower for conducting transmissions using the spectrum usage data. Insome implementations, the modified transmission power is lower than atransmission power on other channels that do not include the first setof channels or is lower than a power at which the wireless device wouldtypically transmit signals in the absence of the present interferencemitigation features. The modified transmission power is determined usingtransmission information of the spectrum usage data, which indicatescharacteristics of the licensed entity transmissions, such as a sourceof the transmissions and/or a transmission power at which the licensedentity conducts transmission. The modified transmission power is lowerthan the transmission power of the licensed entity, in someimplementations. The modified transmission power is determined based atleast in part on a predicted or estimated level of interference causedat a receiver of the transmissions of the licensed entity due to thewireless transmission of the wireless device. In some implementations,the predicted or estimated level of interference may be calculated usingone or more mathematical models and may be based on parameters such asthe relative geographic locations of the wireless device in relation tothe source and/or receiver of the transmissions, a power spectraldensity over distance of the licensed entity transmissions, adirectionality of the licensed transmissions, a channelization of thelicensed transmissions, and antenna gain of the licensed transmittingdevices, etc. In some implementations, the wireless device determinesthe modified transmission power by determining a transmission powerthat, when applied to the model, results in an interference level at thereceiver of the licensed transmissions that is less than a thresholdlevel of interference (e.g., −90 dBm).

At operation 509, the wireless device conducts wireless transmissions onthe first set of channels and/or on one or more channels adjacent thefirst set of channels at the modified transmission power. In someimplementations, the wireless device disables transmission on the firstset of channels and conducts transmissions on one or more channels thatare adjacent to the first set of channels at the modified transmissionpower. In some embodiments, the transmissions on the channels that donot include the first set of channels can be conducted at a transmissionpower that is higher than the modified transmission power. For example,in wireless transmission protocols that allow for communication withdifferent receiver devices at different transmission parameters within afrequency band, communication with devices in a portion of the bandadjacent the licensed sub-band can be done at the modified transmissionpower, and communication with devices in a portion of the band distalfrom the licensed sub-band can be done at a higher transmission power.

Referring to FIG. 6, a spectrum diagram illustrates an implementation ofthe transmission power modification technique of FIG. 5 according to anillustrative example. A wireless device is configured to conductwireless transmissions over a plurality of channels of a frequency band.Each of the plurality of channels has a fixed width of 20 MHz.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a licensed entity is licensed tooperate on a 30 MHz frequency band. The wireless device can beconfigured to operate in a mode that utilizes a transmission band havinga bandwidth of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. In someimplementations, the wireless device may operate in a mode utilizing atransmission band having a width of at least 80 MHz. In someimplementations, the wireless device may transmit in a frequency bandthat includes a frequency of 6.0 GHz. The wireless device obtainsspectrum usage data from a database of the spectrum access system. Thespectrum usage data indicates a location of the 30 MHz licensed sub-bandwithin the frequency band. In this example, the 30 MHz band overlapswith portions of the 20 MHz channel 601 and the 20 MHz channel 603.

The wireless device determines a first set of channels (e.g., channels601 and 603) including all the channels that overlap with the 30 MHzband which is reserved by a licensed entity. In some implementations,the first set of channels includes one or more channels that areadjacent to the channels that overlap with the 30 MHz band, such as the20 MHz channel 605 and the 20 MHz channel 607. In some implementations,the wireless device determines whether to transmit on the channels 605and 607 using the modified transmission power or a power level higherthan the modified transmission power based on a determination of whethera spectral separation between the 30 MHz band and the 20 MHz channels isless than a predetermined threshold. Upon determining that the spectralseparation is less than the threshold, the wireless device uses themodified power to transmit on the adjacent channel.

The wireless device determines a modified transmission power for thedevice to conduct transmissions on the first set of channels (e.g.,channels 601 and 603) and/or on the adjacent channels (channels 605and/or 607). The modified transmission power is lower than atransmission power on other channels that do not include the first setof channels. In some implementations, the modified transmission power isdetermined using transmission information of the spectrum usage data,which indicates a transmission power at which the licensed entityconducts transmission. The modified transmission power is lower than thetransmission power of the licensed entity. In some implementations, themodified transmission power is determined based at least in part on alevel of interference caused at a receiver of the transmissions of thelicensed entity due to the wireless transmission of the wireless device.In some implementations, the modified transmission power is determinedbased at least in part on a relative location of the wireless devicewith respect to at least one of a location of the licensed entity or thearea in which the licensed entity is licensed to communicate over thefirst sub-band. In some implementations, the modified transmission poweris determined based at least in part on a power spectral density overdistance of transmissions of at least one of the licensed entity or theapparatus. In some implementations, the modified transmission power isdetermined based at least in part on a directionality of transmissionsof the licensed entity. In some implementations, the modifiedtransmission power is determined based at least in part on an antennagain of an antenna of the licensed entity.

In some implementations, the wireless device is configured to estimate alevel of interference caused at a receiver of the transmissions of thelicensed entity due to the wireless transmissions of the wirelessdevice. The wireless device can be configured to determine the modifiedtransmission power that is estimated to result in interference at thereceiver of less than a threshold interference level.

The wireless device is configured to determine a spectral separationbetween the adjacent channel and the licensed sub-band. For example, asshown in FIG. 6, a spectral separation 609 of approximately 8-10 MHz isbetween the 30 MHz sub-band and the adjacent channel 607. The lowerboundary of the 30 MHz sub-band essentially overlaps the upper frequencyboundary of the channel 605, so there is substantially no spectralseparation between the adjacent channel 605 and the 30 MHz sub-band. Insome implementations, the wireless device determines whether thespectral separation is less than a threshold. If the spectral separationbetween a first adjacent channel and the sub-band is less than thethreshold (e.g., spectral separation is substantially zero betweenchannel 605 and 30 MHz sub-band), the wireless device determinestransmits on the first adjacent channel with the modified transmissionpower. If the spectral separation between a second adjacent channel andthe sub-band is not less than the threshold (e.g., larger spectralseparation between channel 607 and 30 MHz sub-band), the wireless deviceconducts transmissions on the second adjacent channel using atransmission power larger than the modified transmission power.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of a beam steering process 700 isdepicted according to an illustrative implementation. In someimplementations, the beam steering process 700 may be implemented usingbeam steering module 213 of wireless device 200.

At operation 701, the wireless device identifies the location of thedevice. The location of the device is identified using a positioningcircuitry of device. In some implementations, the location of the deviceis identified using positioning data received from other devices. Insome implementations, the location of the device is transmitted to asystem maintaining a database of spectrum usage in one or moregeographic areas. For example, the location may be provided as part of aquery from the device to a spectrum access system, and the spectrumaccess system may respond to the query with spectrum usage data relevantto an area including or proximate to the location. In someimplementations, the device may use the determined location to filterdata received from the database that includes a larger geographic areato determine the data relevant to the location.

At operation 703, the wireless device receives spectrum usage data fromthe spectrum access system. The spectrum access system includes adatabase used to store the data. The received spectrum usage data isassociated with wireless transmissions at an area including the locationof the wireless device. The spectrum usage data indicates a licensedentity licensed within the area to communicate across a first sub-bandof frequencies within the frequency band. The spectrum usage dataindicates one or more transmission characteristics of the transmissionsof the licensed entity including data indicating a source location and adirectionality of the transmissions. In some implementations, thespectrum usage data indicates a beam steering requirement for thewireless device at the area.

At operation 705, beam steering characteristics for wirelesstransmissions of the wireless device within the frequency band aredetermined using the spectrum usage data. The beam steeringcharacteristics are determined using the transmission characteristicsfor the licensed entity. The beam steering characteristics aredetermined to reduce interference with the transmissions of the licensedentity within the frequency band caused by the wireless transmissions ofthe wireless device. In some implementations, the wireless devicedetermines that the device is within a beam path of the licensed entitybased on the source location and directionality of the transmission ofthe licensed entity indicated by the transmission characteristics. Thebeam steering characteristics for the wireless transmissions aremodified to reduce interference based on the beam path of the licensedentity. In some implementations, the beam steering characteristics aredetermined based at least in part on the beam steering requirementindicated by the spectrum usage data.

At operation 707, the wireless device conducts wireless transmissionsusing the beam steering characteristics. The beam characteristicsinclude, but are not limited to, a beam orientation, a beampolarization, a beam elevation, a beam azimuth, and a beamcross-polarization discrimination. For example, in some implementations,the spectrum usage data may indicate that the licensed transmissionshave a first polarization, and the wireless device may set apolarization of its transmissions such that the polarization causes thetransmissions not to interfere. In some implementations, the spectrumusage data may indicate a particular beam path for the licensedtransmissions, and the wireless device may select a beamelevation/azimuth to ensure that the beams transmitted by the wirelessdevice do not intersect with those of the licensed entity in a mannerthat would result in impermissible levels of interference.

In some implementations, the wireless device includes multiple antennas.In such implementations, a subset of the antennas is determined and usedfor conducting transmissions based on a directionality of the wirelesstransmissions of the antennas. For example, the wireless device mayinclude five antennas, and the wireless device may transmit on onlythree of the antennas because it determines that transmissions on thosethree antennas will not substantially interfere with the licensedtransmissions while transmissions on the other antennas could interfere.

In some implementations, spectrum sharing by coexistence based onper-channel enablement is enabled via the SAS 100 for a wide channelbandwidth. In some implementations, the wide channel bandwidth is widerthan a bandwidth of the TV White Space (e.g. 80 MHz and 160 MHzchannels). In some implementations, multiple communication systems mayexist within the wide channel bandwidth and theses communication systemsmay not follow the same channelization boundaries. The SAS 100 indicatesto an enabling device a list of enumerated Resource Units (RUs) that areavailable within each channel according to some implementations. Forexample, in IEEE 802.11ax, a RU has a narrow bandwidth of 2 MHzaccording to some implementations. The enabling device then indicatesthe same list of available RUs to a dependent device by over-the-airsignaling according to some implementations. Both of the enabling anddependent devices may only transmit on the indicated RUs according tosome implementations. In some implementations, if the enabling deviceschedules the dependent device to transmit (e.g. by sending an 802.11axMU trigger frame), it may only schedule the dependent device to transmiton the RUs that have been indicated as being available to the dependentdevice. In this way, transmission on disallowed RUs is avoided. In someimplementations, the SAS 100 provides indication on a per-RU basis,which allows efficient use of the spectrum by only blocking out thenecessary RUs that are required to prevent interference between thecommunication systems.

In some implementations, when the SAS 100 determines the availability ofcertain RUs, out-of-band emissions may occur to other communicationsystems that are operating in spectrum adjacent to those RUs due to theinterference impact. In some implementations, the SAS 100 may beconfigured to make assumptions about the spectral mask capabilities ofthe transmitting device. In some implementations, the assumptions mayvary significantly between device models. In some implementations, theSAS 100 may make overly-conservative assumptions to reduce the abilityfor some devices to use the spectrum efficiently.

In some implementations, the SAS 100 defines a spectral mask thresholdat one or more frequency offsets (e.g. 100 kHz, 1 MHz, 10 MHz, etc. fromthe edge of the RU) that are used for transmission on a certain RU. Insome implementations, if the transmitting device's spectral mask isbelow the spectral mask threshold, it indicates the RU is unavailable.In some implementations, if the spectral mask equals to the threshold atall offsets, it indicates a maximum transmission power is allowed fortransmission. In some implementations, if the spectral mask exceeds thethreshold at all offsets, it indicates a maximum transmission power isallowed for transmission and plus an additional delta offset so long asthe effective spectral mask is not violated (e.g. also consideringspectral regrowth). In some implementations, as a result, devices thathave better spectral masks may transmit on more RUs at higher power, andhence use the spectrum more efficiently, while providing assurance thatthe interference caused to other communication systems may not exceedthat allowed by the database.

In some implementations, the SAS 100 include antenna informationindicating an antenna orientation for each device in the communicationsystems. In some implementations, antennas with good cross-polarizationdiscrimination (XPD), control of the polarization used for transmission(and reception) by at least one of the communication systems maysubstantially reduce the amount of interference that is created betweenthe communication systems.

In some implementations, the SAS 100 includes antenna informationindicating polarization, orientation, and XPD of each communicationsystem. In some implementations, the SAS 100 determines transmissionpower limits for transmission on each RU. In some implementations, thetransmission power limits for a first communication system aredetermined according to the antenna information (e.g., polarization,orientation, XPD) of transmissions of the enabling and dependent deviceswithin a second communication system. For example, in someimplementations, the SAS 100 may allow transmission at +20 dBm on agiven RU for the first communication system when a firstpolarization/orientation is used, or only +10 dBm when a secondpolarization/orientation is used, on the basis that, taking into accountthe polarization/orientation/XPD of the second communication system, theinterference caused may be equivalent and tolerable.

In some implementations, for a device where the polarization/orientationand/or location is unknown (e.g. a mobile device), the SAS 100 maydetermine a third transmission power limit. In some implementations, theSAS 100 calculates the third transmission power limit according to anexpected interference channel between the corresponding device of thefirst communication system and the second communication system. Forexample, in some implementations, higher relative transmission powerlimits may be allowed for a line-of-sight interference link where thepolarization shift over the channel is predictable, as opposed to a nonline-of-sight link through substantial clutter and/or specularreflections where the polarization of the interfering signal is alteredand hence the same level of interference mitigation may not be assured.In some implementations, the SAS 100 allows a higher transmission powerif the transmitting device of the first communication system adopts aspecific beam pattern which provides predictable nulling of interferencein the direction of the receiver(s) of the second communication system.

In some implementations, a communication system uses interferenceprotection from a multitude of other communication systems, and it maybe preferred to allow all the other communication systems to transmitwith a reduced duty cycle, rather than enabling one (or a few) totransmit and block the others completely, which may improve userexperience of the communication systems.

In some implementations, the SAS 100 includes information of a dutycycle limit and a transmission power limit that an enabling device andits dependent device are allowed to use. In some implementations, theSAS 100 provides this information to the enabling device. In someimplementations, requiring a dependent device to follow a specified dutycycle limit may be undesirable because multiple dependent devices canexist, and the interference caused (which must be controlled) is the sumfrom all of them—hence applying a duty cycle limit on a per-device basisis over-conservative in order to avoid excessive interference if many ofthe devices decided to transmit at the same time. In someimplementations, it may be advantageous to only allow the dependentdevices to transmit data frames in response to a trigger frametransmitted by the enabling device. In some implementations, theenabling device then has centralized control over the transmissions ofthe dependent devices as a whole, to ensure the aggregate interferencethe communication system causes is controlled. In order to do so, insome implementations, the enablement indication additionally contains aflag that indicates that the dependent devices are not allowed totransmit SU (autonomous) data frames, and are allowed to only transmitdata frames in response to a MU trigger.

In some implementations, a device may request update of allowed channelsafter a defined period or when it believes it is no longer in an allowedzone, but this is insufficient for cases where transmissions are allowedindoors only (e.g. to ensure additional mitigation from indoor/outdoorpenetration loss to other systems that are outdoors).

In some implementations, the SAS 100 includes information indicating anexact indoor/outdoor boundary (e.g., boundary coordinates of abuilding). In some implementations, the corresponding coordinates areprovided to a dependent device as part of an enablement response. Insome implementations, the dependent device is obliged to measure itslocation at a cadence and accuracy which are also defined in theenablement response. For example, when the dependent device measures itslocation to be outside of an indoor boundary, and/or with insufficientaccuracy, it stops transmitting on the corresponding spectrum until itconfirms its location is within the boundary again.

In some implementations, client devices (STAs) regularly scan for APs,particularly in mobility scenarios where they handoff/roam to maintainthe best quality connection. In some implementations, such scanning ispower consuming, especially with a large number of channels/bands toscan. In some implementations, scanning channels that are unavailable,or largely unavailable due to few RUs being available, is wasteful andnegatively impacts user experience.

IEEE 802.11 defines Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) elements which aretransmitted by APs in Beacon and Probe Response frames, and indicate toa client device (STA) a list of neighboring APs and the channels onwhich they operate. In some implementations, a client device can usethis list to prioritize it scanning process. In some implementations,the RNR element is extended to also indicate, along with the identifier(e.g. BSSID) and channel for each AP, which of those APs are operatingon channels that are unavailable or have limited availability in termsof allowed RUs. In such implementations, the client device does not needto scan those channels (because they are unlikely to be suitablecandidate APs to connect to), and hence optimize its scanning procedure.

In some implementations, the GDD procedure allows a dependent STA totransmit certain management frames on a channel, before having beenenabled to use that channel for data frames. In some implementations,this is to enable a security association to be established to preventmalicious forging of enablement frames which could cause devices to usethe channel without genuine enablement from a database of the SAS 100.However, while those management frames are relatively short and rare,they may in certain cases contribute to interference to othercommunication systems—particularly for example if the transmittingdevice is close to and in the main lobe of a highly directional receiverantenna of another communication system.

In some implementations, many APs are multi-band and may simultaneouslyoperate on multiple channels where the same frequency-domain coexistencerequirements do not exist (e.g. 2.4 and 5 GHz unlicensed bands wheredevices typically coexist using CSMA/CA time-domain sharing).Specifically, in some implementations, the enablement frames areextended to allow the enablement exchange to be conducted on a differentband operated by the same AP (enabling device) by additionallyspecifying the BSSID on which enablement is to be performed. In someimplementations, this exchange, in addition to being out-of-band (and sonot creating interference to the other communication system), uses asecurity association set up on the BSS operating on the other band toensure integrity of the exchange. In some implementations, in the casethat the AP is single-band and may only operate on the spectrum forwhich frequency-domain coexistence is being performed, the AP (enablingdevice) advertises specific RUs and transmission power limit that may beused for the in-band enablement transmissions in random-accesstrigger-based uplink frames. In some implementations, these RUs can beselected to minimize interference caused to another system.

In some embodiments, an apparatus configured for wireless communicationincludes circuitry configured to identify a location of the apparatusand obtain spectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage dataindicates a licensed entity licensed within an area including thelocation of the apparatus to communicate across a first sub-band offrequencies within a frequency band. The frequency band includes aplurality of channels each having a fixed width. The circuitry isfurther configured to determine a first set of one or more of theplurality of channels containing the first sub-band of frequencies overwhich the licensed entity is licensed to communicate and to conductwireless transmissions on a second set of one or more of the pluralityof channels that do not contain the first sub-band of frequencies whiledisabling wireless transmissions on the first set of channels.

In some embodiments, a method for conducting wireless communicationincludes identifying, by a wireless device, a location of the wirelessdevice and obtaining, at the wireless device, spectrum usage data from adatabase. The spectrum usage data indicates a licensed entity licensedwithin an area including the location of the wireless device tocommunicate across a first sub-band of frequencies within a frequencyband. The frequency band includes a plurality of channels each having afixed width. The method further includes determining, by the wirelessdevice, a first set of one or more of the plurality of channelscontaining the first sub-band of frequencies over which the licensedentity is licensed to communicate and conducting wireless transmissionsof the wireless device on a second set of one or more of the pluralityof channels that do not contain the first sub-band of frequencies whiledisabling wireless transmissions on the first set of channels.

In some embodiments, one or more computer-readable storage media haveinstructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least oneprocessor of a wireless device, cause the at least one processor toperform operations. The operations include identifying a location of thewireless device and obtaining spectrum usage data from a database. Thespectrum usage data indicates a licensed entity licensed within an areaincluding the location of the apparatus to communicate across a firstsub-band of frequencies within a frequency band. The frequency bandincludes a plurality of channels each having a fixed width. Theoperations further include determining a first set of one or more of theplurality of channels containing the first sub-band of frequencies overwhich the licensed entity is licensed to communicate and conductingwireless transmissions of the wireless device on a second set of one ormore of the plurality of channels that do not contain the first sub-bandof frequencies while disabling wireless transmissions on the first setof channels.

In some embodiments, an apparatus configured for wireless communicationincludes circuitry configured to identify a location of the apparatusand obtain spectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage dataindicates a licensed entity licensed within an area including thelocation of the apparatus to communicate across a first sub-band offrequencies within a frequency band. The frequency band includes aplurality of channels each having a fixed width. The circuitry isfurther configured to determine a modified transmission power using thespectrum usage data. The modified transmission power is configured toreduce interference with the licensed entity on the first sub-band. Thecircuitry is further configured to conduct wireless transmissions on atleast one of a first set of one or more of the plurality of channelscontaining the first sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent tothe first set of channels at the modified transmission power.

In some embodiments, a method for conducting wireless communication by adevice includes identifying a location of the device and obtainingspectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage data indicates alicensed entity licensed within an area including the location of thedevice to communicate across a first sub-band of frequencies within afrequency band. The frequency band includes a plurality of channels eachhaving a fixed width. The method further includes determining a modifiedtransmission power using the spectrum usage data. The modifiedtransmission power is configured to reduce interference with thelicensed entity on the first sub-band. The method further includesconducting, by the device, wireless transmissions on at least one of afirst set of one or more of the plurality of channels containing thefirst sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent to the first setof channels at the modified transmission power.

In some embodiments, one or more computer-readable storage media haveinstructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least oneprocessor of a device, cause the at least one processor to performoperations. The operations include identifying a location of the deviceand obtaining spectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usagedata indicates a licensed entity licensed within an area including thelocation of the device to communicate across a first sub-band offrequencies within a frequency band. The frequency band includes aplurality of channels each having a fixed width. The operations furtherinclude determining a modified transmission power using the spectrumusage data. The modified transmission power is configured to reduceinterference with the licensed entity on the first sub-band. Theoperations further include conducting wireless transmissions on at leastone of a first set of one or more of the plurality of channelscontaining the first sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent tothe first set of channels at the modified transmission power.

In some embodiments, an apparatus configured for wireless communicationincludes circuitry configured to identify a location of the apparatusand obtain spectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage dataindicates a licensed entity licensed within an area including thelocation of the apparatus to communicate across a frequency band. Thespectrum usage data indicates one or more transmission characteristicsof the transmissions of the licensed entity including data indicating asource location and a directionality of the transmissions. The circuitryis further configured to determine beam steering characteristics forwireless transmissions of the apparatus within the frequency band usingthe spectrum usage data. The beam steering characteristics aredetermined using the transmission characteristics for the licensedentity and configured to reduce interference with the transmissions ofthe licensed entity within the frequency band caused by the wirelesstransmissions of the apparatus. The circuitry is further configured toconduct wireless transmissions over the frequency band using the beamsteering characteristics.

In some embodiments, a method for conducting wireless communication by adevice includes identifying a location of the device and obtainingspectrum usage data from a database. The spectrum usage data indicates alicensed entity licensed within an area including the location of thedevice to communicate across a frequency band. The spectrum usage dataindicates one or more transmission characteristics of the transmissionsof the licensed entity including data indicating a source location and adirectionality of the transmissions. The method further includesdetermining beam steering characteristics for wireless transmissions ofthe device within the frequency band using the spectrum usage data. Thebeam steering characteristics are determined using the transmissioncharacteristics for the licensed entity and configured to reduceinterference with the transmissions of the licensed entity within thefrequency band caused by the wireless transmissions of the device. Themethod further includes conducting wireless transmissions over thefrequency band using the beam steering characteristics.

In some implementations, one or more computer-readable storage mediahave instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least oneprocessor of a wireless device, cause the at least one processor toperform operations. The operations include identifying a location of thewireless device and obtaining spectrum usage data from a database. Thespectrum usage data indicates a licensed entity licensed within an areaincluding the location of the wireless device to communicate across afrequency band. The spectrum usage data indicates one or moretransmission characteristics of the transmissions of the licensed entityincluding data indicating a source location and a directionality of thetransmissions. The operations further include determining beam steeringcharacteristics for wireless transmissions of the wireless device withinthe frequency band using the spectrum usage data. The beam steeringcharacteristics are determined using the transmission characteristicsfor the licensed entity and configured to reduce interference with thetransmissions of the licensed entity within the frequency band caused bythe wireless transmissions of the wireless device. The operationsfurther include conducting wireless transmissions over the frequencyband using the beam steering characteristics.

Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure can bepartially or entirely realized using a tangible computer-readablestorage medium (or multiple tangible computer-readable storage media ofone or more types) encoding one or more instructions. The tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium also can be non-transitory in nature.

The computer-readable storage medium can be any storage medium that canbe read, written, or otherwise accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computing device, including any processing electronics and/orprocessing circuitry capable of executing instructions. For example,without limitation, the computer-readable medium can include anyvolatile semiconductor memory, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, T-RAM, Z-RAM,and TTRAM. The computer-readable medium also can include anynon-volatile semiconductor memory, such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM,NVRAM, flash, nvSRAM, FeRAM, FeTRAM, MRAM, PRAM, CBRAM, SONOS, RRAM,NRAM, racetrack memory, FJG, and Millipede memory.

Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include anynon-semiconductor memory, such as optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage, magnetic tape, other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium capable of storing one or more instructions. In someimplementations, the tangible computer-readable storage medium can bedirectly coupled to a computing device, while in other implementations,the tangible computer-readable storage medium can be indirectly coupledto a computing device, e.g., via one or more wired connections, one ormore wireless connections, or any combination thereof.

Instructions can be directly executable or can be used to developexecutable instructions. For example, instructions can be realized asexecutable or non-executable machine code or as instructions in ahigh-level language that can be compiled to produce executable ornon-executable machine code. Further, instructions also can be realizedas or can include data. Computer-executable instructions also can beorganized in any format, including routines, subroutines, programs, datastructures, objects, modules, applications, applets, functions, etc. Asrecognized by those of skill in the art, details including, but notlimited to, the number, structure, sequence, and organization ofinstructions can vary significantly without varying the underlyinglogic, function, processing, and output.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrativeblocks, modules, elements, components, and methods described herein maybe implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardwareand software, various illustrative blocks, modules, elements,components, and methods have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application. Various components and blocks may be arrangeddifferently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in adifferent way) all without departing from the scope of the subjecttechnology.

It should be noted that certain passages of this disclosure canreference terms such as “first” and “second” in connection with devices,arrays, direction, etc., for purposes of identifying or differentiatingone from another or from others. These terms are not intended to merelyrelate entities (e.g., a first device and a second device) temporally oraccording to a sequence, although in some cases, these entities caninclude such a relationship. Nor do these terms limit the number ofpossible entities (e.g., devices) that can operate within a system orenvironment.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrativeblocks, modules, elements, components, and methods described herein maybe implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To illustrate this interchangeability of hardwareand software, various illustrative blocks, modules, elements,components, and methods have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application. Various components and blocks may be arrangeddifferently (e.g., arranged in a different order, or partitioned in adifferent way) all without departing from the scope of the subjecttechnology.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series ofitems, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items,modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e.,each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection ofat least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaningthat includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least oneof any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of theitems. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or“at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C;any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, andC.

The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, to theextent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in thedescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted whenemployed as a transitional word in a claim.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in themasculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., herand its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used forconvenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus configured for wirelesscommunication, the apparatus comprising: circuitry configured to:identify a location of the apparatus; obtain spectrum usage data from adatabase, the spectrum usage data indicating a licensed entity licensedwithin an area including the location of the apparatus to communicateacross a first sub-band of frequencies within a frequency band, thefrequency band including a plurality of channels each having a fixedwidth; determine a modified transmission power using the spectrum usagedata, the modified transmission power configured to reduce interferencewith the licensed entity on the first sub-band; and conduct wirelesstransmissions on at least one of a first set of one or more of theplurality of channels containing the first sub-band or an adjacentchannel that is adjacent to the first set of channels at the modifiedtransmission power.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the circuitryconfigured to disable wireless transmissions on the first set ofchannels and conduct wireless transmissions on the adjacent channel atthe modified transmission power.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, thecircuitry further configured to conduct wireless transmissions in achannel of the plurality of channels that does not include the firstsub-band at a transmission power greater than the modified transmissionpower.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, the circuitry configured todetermine the modified transmission power using at least one of: arelative location of the apparatus with respect to at least one of alocation of the licensed entity or the area in which the licensed entityis licensed to communicate over the first sub-band; a power spectraldensity over distance of transmissions of at least one of the licensedentity or the apparatus; a directionality of transmissions of thelicensed entity; or an antenna gain of an antenna of the licensedentity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, the circuitry configured todetermine the modified transmission power by: estimating a level ofinterference caused at a receiver of the transmissions of the licensedentity due to the wireless transmissions of the apparatus; and determinethe modified transmission power that is estimated to result ininterference at the receiver of less than a threshold interferencelevel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the threshold interferencelevel is −90 dBm.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to conduct the wireless transmissions within a secondsub-band in the frequency band that has a width of at least 80 MHz, thechannels are 20 MHz channels and the fixed width of each of the channelsis 20 MHz, and the circuitry is configured to: determine a first set of20 MHz channels of the second sub-band that include the first sub-band;and determine a second set of the 20 MHz channels of the second sub-bandnot including the first set of 20 MHz channels; and conduct the wirelesstransmissions at the modified transmission power on the first set of 20MHz channels.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the circuitry isfurther configured to: determine a second set of the 20 MHz channels ofthe second sub-band not including the first set of 20 MHz channels; andconduct the wireless transmissions at a transmission power higher thanthe modified transmission power on the second set of 20 MHz channels. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, the circuitry further configured to: determinea spectral separation between the adjacent channel and the firstsub-band; and determine whether to conduct wireless transmissions on theadjacent channel with the modified transmission power based on thespectral separation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, the circuitryconfigured to conduct the wireless transmissions on the adjacent channelat the modified transmission power responsive to determining thespectral separation is less than a threshold and conduct the wirelesstransmissions on the adjacent channel at a transmission power higherthan the modified transmission power responsive to determining thespectral separation is greater than the threshold.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, the circuitry further configured to: determine an adjacentchannel of the second set of channels that is adjacent to the first setof channels; and determine whether to conduct wireless transmissions onthe adjacent channel at the modified transmission power based on whetherthe wireless transmissions on the adjacent channel are likely to causeinterference on the first sub-band greater than a threshold level ofinterference.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunications are WiFi communications, and wherein at least a portionof the second sub-band is unlicensed spectrum.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the second sub-band includes a frequency of 6 GHz. 14.A method for conducting wireless communication by a device, the methodcomprising: identifying a location of the device; obtaining spectrumusage data from a database, the spectrum usage data indicating alicensed entity licensed within an area including the location of thedevice to communicate across a first sub-band of frequencies within afrequency band, the frequency band including a plurality of channelseach having a fixed width; determining a modified transmission powerusing the spectrum usage data, the modified transmission powerconfigured to reduce interference with the licensed entity on the firstsub-band; and conducting, by the device, wireless transmissions on atleast one of a first set of one or more of the plurality of channelscontaining the first sub-band or an adjacent channel that is adjacent tothe first set of channels at the modified transmission power.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising disabling wireless transmissionson the first set of channels and conduct wireless transmissions on theadjacent channel at the modified transmission power.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising conducting wireless transmissions in achannel of the plurality of channels that does not include the firstsub-band at a transmission power greater than the modified transmissionpower.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining themodified transmission power using at least one of: a relative locationof the device with respect to at least one of a location of the licensedentity or the area in which the licensed entity is licensed tocommunicate over the first sub-band; a power spectral density overdistance of transmissions of at least one of the licensed entity or thedevice; a directionality of transmissions of the licensed entity; or anantenna gain of an antenna of the licensed entity.
 18. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising determining the modified transmission powerby: estimating a level of interference caused at a receiver of thetransmissions of the licensed entity due to the wireless transmissionsof the device; and determine the modified transmission power that isestimated to result in interference at the receiver of less than athreshold interference level.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: determining a spectral separation between the adjacentchannel and the first sub-band; and determining whether to conductwireless transmissions on the adjacent channel with the modifiedtransmission power based on the spectral separation.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, the circuitry configured to conduct the wireless transmissionson the adjacent channel at the modified transmission power responsive todetermining the spectral separation is less than a threshold and conductthe wireless transmissions on the adjacent channel at a transmissionpower higher than the modified transmission power responsive todetermining the spectral separation is greater than the threshold.